PS3 Forum - Playstation 3 Forums

sprint · #1 03-21-2007, 10:52 AM

Sony have confirmed background downloading will be supported in the upcoming 1.6 Firmware update. The new update is one of the biggest so far and amoungst other things will allow you to download content from the Playstation store while playing games.

"Up to 6 pieces of content from the PlayStation store can be queued up for download while the user enjoys other functions of the PS3 system, including playing games, browsing the web, using media functions including photo browsing, video and music playback. Progress of downloads can be easily tracked under a new Download Management menu under the XBM's network icon."

Great stuff.

Link: http://www.scee.presscentre.com/Cont...1&NewsAreaID=2

Charlie · #2 03-21-2007, 02:24 PM

"Up to 6 pieces of content from the PlayStation store can be queued up for download" WTF?! With all those multicores and hype around Cell, the PS3 can't do multiple simultaneous downloads? Granted, the PS Store doesn't have much, but this is still BS. >_>

Hondan · #3 03-21-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie

"Up to 6 pieces of content from the PlayStation store can be queued up for download" WTF?! With all those multicores and hype around Cell, the PS3 can't do multiple simultaneous downloads? Granted, the PS Store doesn't have much, but this is still BS. >_>

The queue of the downloads is not limited by the PS3's internal processor, but rather Sony's servers and bandwidth. If Sony allowed multiple simultaneous TCP connections to their servers, they will most likely exceed their bandwidth limit, not to mention server capacity. A distributed denial of service is going to happen quite often if they allowed simultaneous downloads. Unfortunately, Sony must do this to ensure the stability of the PS network...

Charlie · #4 03-21-2007, 09:03 PM

Since you can only access the PS Store without a valid PSN account via PS3, I don't think DoS would be a problem. Other online retailers offer multiple simultaneous downloads and I believe Sony's own Connect do as well.

Hondan · #5 03-21-2007, 09:55 PM

Yes, a SYN flood, LAND, or teardrop DoS attack may not happen, but like I said, a distributed denial of service (DDoS) is a huge possibility since if multiple downloads are allowed for each TCP session for millions of PS3 users, the bandwidth to these servers will be eaten up in minutes. Have you wondered why Windows update only allow you to download one update at a time?

See, when a company is supporting millions and billions of users, it is difficult enough to build a large enough server farm, secure enough bandwidth and resources for these types of support, not to mention doing these kind of support for free (well... sort of). Do you remember when PSN went down earlier this year because of Gran Turismo HD download? That is caused by a DDoS, since everyone wanted to download Gran Turismo, and the PSN side didn't have enough bandwidth or resources to support it. Although the incident is not intentional, but nontheless, it is a DDoS.

Charlie · #6 03-21-2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondan

Have you wondered why Windows update only allow you to download one update at a time?

That's completely different. The penetration numbers are not even close between Windows and PlayStation. The PS Store is separate from the firmware update servers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondan

Do you remember when PSN went down earlier this year because of Gran Turismo HD download?

No, I downloaded it just fine that night. It's slow, but it always is. The PS Store is an online retailer, it's not merely just a free service. Sony should be able to commit more and more servers for it. What if iTunes limited downloads to one at time or had downtime like PSN? It's unacceptable, especially when it even pales in comparison to Sony's own Connect service.

*Chris* · #7 03-22-2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie

Since you can only access the PS Store without a valid PSN account via PS3, I don't think DoS would be a problem. Other online retailers offer multiple simultaneous downloads and I believe Sony's own Connect do as well.

What do you mean?

When I activate my PSN account, I will not be able to access the PS Store?

Or did you mean to say you can only access the PS Store WITH a valid PSN account?

Charlie · #8 03-22-2007, 12:29 AM

Whoops, I deleted the can't before I posted and forgot to change the without part.

Hondan · #9 03-22-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie

That's completely different. The penetration numbers are not even close between Windows and PlayStation. The PS Store is separate from the firmware update servers.

Right... penetration numbers are much different, but then again, I am sure Microsoft have a much larger Windows support server farm too, and to be honest, I think it is somewhat of a same concept, because when you look beyond the content, transferring data over a network is transferring data over a network, and what really matters is to get those 1s and 0s from point A to point B. Besides, Windows update does not necessarily do all kernel and firmware modifications, unless if you want call Windows Media Player, Malicious Software Removal Tool and Internet Explorer firmwares...

Quote:

No, I downloaded it just fine that night. It's slow, but it always is. The PS Store is an online retailer, it's not merely just a free service. Sony should be able to commit more and more servers for it. What if iTunes limited downloads to one at time or had downtime like PSN? It's unacceptable, especially when it even pales in comparison to Sony's own Connect service.

Here are a couple of links in case you missed the story...

http://www.bdgamers.net/2006/12/24/p...o-release.html

http://kotaku.com/gaming/top/free-gr...ass-224013.php

Yeah, Sony can definitely add more bandwidth and put more Servers in the farm, but it will take alot of new servers if the network can be DDoS'd by less than 2 million people downloading GTHD. I don't think Sony will do it, at least not at this point, not for a brand new product that have not fully established itself... that is just my 2 cents.

Charlie · #10 03-22-2007, 04:59 PM

So I'm downloading Folding@home and I still see

Downloading...
Please wait.
[]]]]__________________]
18%

O Cancel

Disappointment 1.6

Hondan · #11 03-22-2007, 06:11 PM

Ouch, that is not good... I have't done my 1.6 update yet. This is indeed a disappointment...

Hondan · #12 03-23-2007, 03:38 AM

I just upgraded to 1.6, seems like you can enable background download on anything you download from the PS store... I got the same thing when I downloaded home too.

Charlie · #13 03-23-2007, 04:16 AM

Yeah, except it still blows. I downloaded the Bee Movie trailer and the Transformers trailers to test this out. Things seems to be going smoothly on the XMB. Then I decided to run Folding@home, checked out some of the stuff. When I came back to the download manager, Transformers was still the same as I left it at 22%. You'd think that the Cell Broadband Engine would be capable of downloading Transformers while folding proteins... but it doesn't.

Hondan · #14 03-23-2007, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie

Yeah, except it still blows. I downloaded the Bee Movie trailer and the Transformers trailers to test this out. Things seems to be going smoothly on the XMB. Then I decided to run Folding@home, checked out some of the stuff. When I came back to the download manager, Transformers was still the same as I left it at 22%. You'd think that the Cell Broadband Engine would be capable of downloading Transformers while folding proteins... but it doesn't.

Mmmm... That is interesting. I thought the whole purpose for downloading in the background is for the user to perform other tasks while the data is being downloaded... I personally didn't have much problems with downloading speed, but seems like quite a few people have similar problems... I will have to try folding while downloading and see what happens...

aidanmack · #15 04-07-2007, 08:55 AM

is it actually possible 2 set a permanent background yet on the ps3 like on the psp ?

Siege890 · #16 04-07-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie

Yeah, except it still blows. I downloaded the Bee Movie trailer and the Transformers trailers to test this out. Things seems to be going smoothly on the XMB. Then I decided to run Folding@home, checked out some of the stuff. When I came back to the download manager, Transformers was still the same as I left it at 22%. You'd think that the Cell Broadband Engine would be capable of downloading Transformers while folding proteins... but it doesn't.

i think that some thing that the F@H guys have to work out with sony so i dont think we'll see a update soon

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